Questions to Ask Before Buying a Kitten

Knowing what to ask is often the hardest part of buying a kitten responsibly, especially for first-time owners. Here's the exact list we'd want a prospective family to ask us — and what a genuinely good answer looks like for each one.

Health and Genetics

• "Have both parents been cardiac-screened for HCM?" A good answer includes the date of the most recent screening and a willingness to show the report.
• "Are the parents DNA tested clear for PKD?" Expect to see actual lab documentation, not just a verbal "yes."
• "What vaccinations and treatments will the kitten have had by the time it goes home?" A clear, specific answer (which vaccines, which deworming schedule, at what ages) indicates an organized, veterinary-supervised program.

Pedigree and Documentation

• "Which registry is the kitten registered with?" WCF and other major registries are verifiable; obscure or unnamed "registries" are a red flag.
• "Can I see the kitten's pedigree certificate, or a sample if it's not ready yet?" We cover why this documentation matters in Why Pedigree Matters.

Recommended image: pedigree and health documentation for a kitten. Alt text: "Pedigree and health documentation for a British Shorthair kitten"

Raising and Socialization

• "Where are the kittens raised — in your home, or a separate facility?" Home-raised, with regular human contact from birth, is the answer to look for.
• "Can I meet the mother?" Meeting the dam gives you a real sense of temperament and general health that photos alone can't provide.
• "At what age will the kitten go home?" Responsible breeders typically keep kittens until at least twelve weeks, allowing full socialization with their mother and littermates.

What's Included

• "What exactly is included in the price — pedigree, vaccinations, microchip, deworming, spay/neuter?" We break down our own answer in What Is Included with a Solette Kitten.
• "Is there a written contract and health guarantee?" A clear yes, with a copy available to review before payment, is what you want to hear.

Ongoing Support

• "Will you be available for questions after I bring the kitten home?" A responsible breeder answers this without hesitation and generally welcomes an ongoing relationship.
• "What happens if I can no longer keep the cat, at any point in its life?" Good breeders want the cat back rather than have it rehomed independently or surrendered to a shelter.

Questions About the Kitten Itself

• "What is this specific kitten's personality like?" A breeder who has actually observed the litter should be able to describe individual differences, not just generic breed traits.
• "Has this kitten had any health issues so far?" Full transparency, even about minor past issues, is a good sign of honesty.

A Note on How Questions Are Received

Beyond the specific answers, pay attention to how a breeder responds to being asked all of this. Genuine breeders welcome thorough questions because they're proud of their program and want informed, prepared owners. Defensiveness, irritation, or vague deflection in response to reasonable questions is itself valuable information.

Questions Worth Asking Yourself, Too

Beyond questions for the breeder, it's worth honestly answering a few for yourself before committing: Are you prepared for a 12 to 20-year commitment? Does your schedule and living situation genuinely suit a cat's needs, including the grooming demands if you're considering a Longhair? Have you budgeted realistically for ongoing food, litter, and veterinary costs, not just the initial adoption price? A responsible breeder will often ask you similar questions in return, which is a good sign rather than an intrusion — it means they care where their kittens end up.

Following Up After Your Initial Conversation

It's entirely reasonable to take time to think over the answers you receive, compare them against other breeders, and follow up with additional questions before making a decision. A breeder who pressures you toward an immediate commitment, rather than welcoming a thoughtful decision-making process, is worth approaching with extra caution regardless of how well the initial conversation otherwise went.

Questions Specific to Golden and Silver Colors

If you're specifically interested in golden or silver coloring, it's worth adding a few color-specific questions: "How many generations of documented golden or silver ancestry does this kitten have?" and "What eye color is typical for this specific bloodline?" A breeder specializing in these colors, as we do, should answer confidently and specifically rather than giving vague, generic responses about coat color in general.

Putting It All Together

You don't need to ask every single question on this list word for word — the goal is understanding the underlying concerns each one addresses: verified health, genuine documentation, proper socialization, honest transparency, and ongoing accountability. A breeder who addresses these themes thoroughly, even without you reciting a formal checklist, is demonstrating exactly the kind of responsible practice worth looking for.